A newlywed pilot who was killed in a helicopter crash moments after leaving his wedding reception was already concerned about the foggy weather and low visibility before take-off, according to his father.
25-year-old Dave Fiji was among three people travelling in a Robinson R66 helicopter when it crashed into a heavily wooded area near Dawsonville, Georgia, last week. Dave died in the crash along with the pilot, Nikhil Nargundkar. His bride, Jesni Fiji, survived with injuries.
Dave's father George Fiji revealed that his son, who worked as a pilot for Delta Air Lines, had been worried about the poor weather conditions before the flight. Dave Fiji was an Indian-origin man whose family traces its roots to Muvattupuzha, Kerala.
“He said I wouldn't fly, we would not fly in this visibility,” George recalled to WSB-TV.
The couple had just celebrated what their family described as a perfect wedding. Dave and Jesni met at church more than a decade ago and exchanged vows in front of hundreds of guests.
“We could say it was the perfect wedding,” George said. He added: “We couldn't ask for anything more."
His wife, Pheba Fiji, said the ceremony was emotional and spiritual.
“Both of them told us they could sense the presence of God at the altar, a tangible presence of God,” she said.
She added: “There was a special glow and glory over his face that we couldn't explain. And it was not just us who noticed.”
The reception ended at around 9.30pm and the newlyweds boarded a helicopter for a planned flight to Peachtree-DeKalb Airport. They intended to spend the night at a hotel in downtown Atlanta.
According to George, rain and fog had reduced visibility at an alarming rate before departure. Despite Dave's warning, the helicopter pilot said they would fly at a higher altitude and avoud the fog. Shortly after take-off, the aircraft crashed southwest of Dawsonville.
Jesni survived the impact but remained trapped beneath wreckage and fallen trees for around five hours before rescuers reached her.
“She said when she woke up, she was under the rubble,” George said.
George added: “She woke up and saw him lying on her chest. She herself is a nurse. When she touched him, she called out to him. He was already cold.”
Jesni was taken to a hospital where she was treated for cuts and bruises. She suffered no broken bones and was expected to leave hospital within days.
“She's devastated, but she's recovering,” George told Atlanta News First.
George described Dave as “a precious child” and “a gift from God for us”.
Pheba Fiji, Dave's mother added: “She always says there could never be a man who could preserve himself like David did. He was kind, he was gentle, he was selfless. Those were her words. We have the confidence that God perfected the work that he started in his life.”
The helicopter involved in the crash belonged to Prestige Helicopters, a company that provides charter flights for weddings and events across the Atlanta area.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said in a statement that the helicopter struck tall trees before crashing into the ground in a densely wooded area. There was no post-impact fire.
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